Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fayetteville, NC
VS
Rochester, MN
🏆 Rochester leads 14 of 21 categories
Fayetteville
North Carolina
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$53,424
Violent Crime Index
174⚠ High
Population
208,697 ✓ Larger
Rochester
Minnesota
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1
Median Household Income
$83,973 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fayetteville, NC
Pros
Homes cost $110k less ($158,500 vs $268,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 23°F
Rent averages $101/mo less ($1,117 vs $1,218)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.4)
Cons
Median income trails Rochester by $30,549/yr
Violent crime (660.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3094.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 3.7%)
Rochester, MN
Pros
77% less violent crime than Fayetteville
Households earn $30,549 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.7 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (154.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 49.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.1)
Cons
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Fayetteville
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 93.1 (100 = US avg)
Fayetteville
Median Home Value
$110k less
$158,500 vs $268,800
Fayetteville
Summer Heat
10.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.9°F vs 80.3°F
Rochester
Median Income
$30,549
$83,973 vs $53,424/yr
Rochester
Violent Crime
77% lower
154.0 vs 660.2 per 100k
Rochester
Unemployment
4.7 pp lower
3.7% vs 8.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper | 93.1 |
| Median Home Value | $158,500 ✓ Lower | $268,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,117 ✓ Lower | $1,218 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $53,424 | $83,973 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.0 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.4% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 163⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 147⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.8:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.5% | 49.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.1% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Cumberland County Schools | Rochester Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 54.1°F ✓ Warmer | 22.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.9" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.2" ✓ Less | 52.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 208,697 ✓ Larger | 120,848 |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 65.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.6% | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.6% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fayetteville's cost of living index is 91.4 vs Rochester's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Fayetteville is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Rochester leads 14 of 21 categories. Fayetteville wins 7 and Rochester wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fayetteville to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($158,500 vs $268,800 median home), income ($53,424 vs $83,973), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fayetteville, NC and Rochester, MN are about 946 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.